News Epic Games Store

[crimsonheadGCN]

Apple pro

Before I left the /r/EpicGamesPC discord, they were getting all excited about this despite it being similar to Steam's. They think EA is bring EA Play Pro to the service despite it being on Origin only and that Epic is going to start their own monthly bundle like Humble.

 

[C-Dub]

So, Palworld has sold 2m copies in less than 24 hours.

How long do we think it’ll be before we get a similar mode in Fortnite?

 

[Arc]

Before I left the /r/EpicGamesPC discord, they were getting all excited about this despite it being similar to Steam's. They think EA is bring EA Play Pro to the service despite it being on Origin only and that Epic is going to start their own monthly bundle like Humble.

That makes no sense as their weekly giveaways are effectively the same thing. Heck their freebies are oftentimes higher quality than Humble Monthly.

So, Palworld has sold 2m copies in less than 24 hours.

How long do we think it’ll be before we get a similar mode in Fortnite?

It took about a week for an Only Up knockoff to hit Fortnite. I give it a month before FortPal releases.

 

[Arsene]

So, Palworld has sold 2m copies in less than 24 hours.

How long do we think it’ll be before we get a similar mode in Fortnite?

I mean the game already shares a lot of similarities with Lego Fortnite, so the real question is when are they adding animal slavery to lego fortnite

 

[crimsonheadGCN]

 

[Arc]

Just from what little data I've read online, 1%-10% of Steam's sales seems about right. It likely skews higher for AAAs and bigger indies. I also like how he mentioned that he probably isn't allowed to share sales figures and had to sign over a dozen NDAs.

Also year in review will probably drop this week. Other than 2023, it's usually the last week in January. I'm expecting big growth thanks to the Fortnite revival plus the 33% coupon.

 

[bobnowhere]

Between zero and near zero, indistinguishable from zero

 

[curi0usBystander]

. I also like how he mentioned that he probably isn't allowed to share sales figures and had to sign over a dozen NDAs.

I can't find it, but I'm sure that Tim said that devs can share their sales no problem. Did he have a change of heart?

 

[Arc]

 

[Morten88]

Apple will find a way to block it

 

[Arc]

They've already capitulated and are being forced to allow alternate stores in March. They plan to charge $0.50 per install after the first million.

Apple has a calculator showing fees with the new system.

Just a hypothetical example with Fortnite.

 

[Arc]

The expanded search function is live.

 

[Alextended]

He will probably whine about how Steam should link to other stores. Pointless features like this instead of improving the platform, as if folks can't search online. I guess another way to see what games they should acquire if folks searched for it a lot within the store but I doubt it's gonna have that much use anyway.

 

[ExistentialThought]

The expanded search function is live.

I am struggling to think of a context where this would be useful. Is it related to their court cases and trying to show they are linking other stores?

 

[Alexandros]

I am struggling to think of a context where this would be useful. Is it related to their court cases and trying to show they are linking other stores?

Most definitely.

 

[C-Dub]

I am struggling to think of a context where this would be useful. Is it related to their court cases and trying to show they are linking other stores?

“We’re providing 100s of hits to more popular rival stores. These stores should now direct magnitudes more traffic to EGS to return the favour.”

 

[Arc]

A bit of a fun oddity, but Suicide Squad is currently #6 the EGS best sellers chart. I think some of their users didn't get the memo about it being delayed a month.

“We’re providing 100s of hits to more popular rival stores. These stores should now direct magnitudes more traffic to EGS to return the favour.”

They don't even link to other stores, but the official website. They're just pulling data from IGDB and displaying it on the EGS frontend.

 

[Ge0force]

When Epic desperately needs unique features for EGS but isn't able to come up with something useful...

 

[C-Dub]

I’d be interested in seeing Epic create a big picture UI. There’s a useful feature. Maybe do that, Tim.

Then again the community has already done that with Playnite and the Legendary plugin.

 

[fantomena]

That search must be depressing for EGS fans. Seeing all the games you won't be able to play atm.

 

[Arc]

Disney and Epic Games to Create Expansive and Open Games and Entertainment Universe Connected to Fortnite - The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games will collaborate on an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences.

thewaltdisneycompany.com

The Walt Disney Company and Epic Games will collaborate on an all-new games and entertainment universe that will further expand the reach of beloved Disney stories and experiences. Disney will also invest $1.5 billion to acquire an equity stake in Epic Games alongside the multiyear project. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.


In addition to being a world-class games experience and interoperating with Fortnite, the new persistent universe will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. Players, gamers and fans will be able to create their own stories and experiences, express their fandom in a distinctly Disney way, and share content with each other in ways that they love. This will all be powered by Unreal Engine.

“Disney was one of the first companies to believe in the potential of bringing their worlds together with ours in Fortnite, and they use Unreal Engine across their portfolio,” said Tim Sweeney, CEO and Founder, Epic Games. “Now we’re collaborating on something entirely new to build a persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem that will bring together the Disney and Fortnite communities.”

“This will enable us to bring together our incredible collection of stories and experiences from across the company for a broad audience in ways we have only dreamed of before,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “Epic Games’ industry-leading technology and Fortnite’s open ecosystem will help us reach consumers where they are so they can engage with Disney in the ways that are most relevant to them.”

Looks like Fortnite will get more Disney branded modes. Maybe they'll have better retention than LEGO.

And before anyone starts doomposting, I doubt this affects Disney games on Steam.

 

[ExistentialThought]

Considering Fortnite already has several ties to Disney IPs, I am curious if this actually moves the needle for attracting new users. Folks who already like Disney properties have probably at least considered playing Fortnite or at least heard about it. All that said, if Fortnite wants to become a metaverse, it needs to reset what users expect of Fortnite, or attract new users without those expectations. Otherwise folks will always fall back to the BR mode.

Also, Disney Dreamlight Valley still exists and this steps on its toes a bit.

 

[Arc]

Also the press release did not say the word "metaverse" once. Thank you Mark Zuckerberg for making that term poisonous.

 

[C-Dub]

That’s Epic’s legal bills covered, then. Papa Iger rewarding Tim for fucking over Google.

 

[Mor]

And before anyone starts doomposting, I doubt this affects Disney games on Steam.

Correct, it likely wont.

 

[Ge0force]

Did I miss the EGS year in review for 2023 or was the growth so bad that Epic didn't communicate about it?

 

[C-Dub]

Did I miss the EGS year in review for 2023 or was the growth so bad that Epic didn't communicate about it?

Nothing yet. Perhaps still a WIP on how to present the data?

 

[Alexandros]

Did Valve do a year in review? I don't remember reading it.

 

[curi0usBystander]

Did I miss the EGS year in review for 2023 or was the growth so bad that Epic didn't communicate about it?

Last year i took them like until march to publish it.

 

[madjoki]

Did Valve do a year in review? I don't remember reading it.

Nope, last year was mid-February, so should be out soon-ish.

 

[Arc]

Correct, it likely wont.

I saw one of the biggest Epic fans on Reddit gleefully saying this was the end of Disney games on Steam.

Last year i took them like until march to publish it.

That's because they tied it with the self publishing tools update. The 2020 and 2021 updates were in late January. Maybe they're waiting for another big dev update this year to drop the 2023 YIR.

At the very least the EU MAU report should release next week as it is every 6 months and the last update was in mid August.

Nope, last year was mid-February, so should be out soon-ish.

I hope we get a MAU number. Just using the peak CCUs, Steam growth in-client growth has been kind of tepid YOY, but in-game has seen big growth thanks to Palworld.

 

[Mor]

I saw one of the biggest Epic fans on Reddit gleefully saying this was the end of Disney games on Steam.

Copium is hard I guess.

 

[C-Dub]

I don’t think Tim Epic would’ve sold even more of his company by choice.

They’ve clearly blown a fuckton of money and need that cash to pursue their goals.

 

[DrShrapnel]

I saw one of the biggest Epic fans on Reddit gleefully saying this was the end of Disney games on Steam.

So the end of Disney games selling on PC then.

 

[Arc]

Disney’s Epic Deal Values Fortnite Maker at $22.5 Billion, a Sharp Cut

Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games values the Fortnite maker at $22.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said. The price is about a 29% drop from where investors last valued the company less than two years ago. The investment makes the “Fortnite” maker one of the largest ...

www.theinformation.com

Article is paywalled, but the readable blurb says Disney's $1.5 billion bought a 7% stake. I had actually read a posting a few months ago saying their valuation was down to $15 billion, but didn't believe it. Fortnite's bounce back probably helped boost it.

So the end of Disney games selling on PC then.

AFAIK Disney licenses out their IPs to various companies who then decide what platforms to put them on. Thinking the Disney deal has anything to do with EGS is dumb.

 

[CommodoreKong]

Here's a non paywalled one that says it's 9%:

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/disneys-epic-deal-shows-sharp-cut-fortnite-makers-valuation-the-information-2024-02-08/

 

[prudis]

so Tencent has 42% , disney 9% and Timmy 49% ?

 

[madjoki]

so Tencent has 42% , disney 9% and Timmy 49% ?

Sony owns something too, at least.

Edit:

https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/sony-and-kirkbi-invest-in-epic-games-to-build-the-future-of-digital-entertainment?sessionInvalidated=true

Sony is spending $1bn to buy another 3% stake in Epic Games to help ‘build the metaverse’ - Music Business Worldwide

Sony’s relationship with Epic Games is getting even closer. Last year Sony Group Corporation – parent company of Sony Music Group – spent USD $200 million to acquire a 0.7% stake in the Fortnite…

www.musicbusinessworldwide.com

So Sony owns 3.7%, Kiribi (Lego) owns 3%, it seems

 

[CommodoreKong]

So either Tencent is selling some of their shares or Tim has been and he owns less than 50% of the company.

 

[prudis]

both is good

 

[Arc]

They could have also issued new shares that keep Tim's >50% while diluting the shares of other investors. I don't think Tim would give up control, otherwise they would have already went public.

 

[CommodoreKong]

They could have also issued new shares that keep Tim's >50% while diluting the shares of other investors. I don't think Tim would give up control, otherwise they would have already went public.

That's true I didn't think of that at the time but they probably did something like that.

 

[Arc]

https://www.ign.com/articles/ive-never-seen-it-this-bad-game-developers-explain-the-huge-layoffs-hitting-riot-epic-and-more

Epic Games laid off 800 employees in September in what CEO Tim Sweeney called a “survival move” that would allow the company to continue to pursue its metaverse initiatives. Speaking to IGN, multiple former employees suggested the financial situation Epic found itself in stemmed from a pattern of irresponsible spending on initiatives that didn’t seem to have a clear strategy behind them, from a rash of acquisitions to Sweeney’s ongoing metaverse dreams. Then, when it came time to account for that spending to investors, the company seemed confused as to how it had gotten there in the first place and started encouraging individual employees to find ways to cut costs.

“A lot of that turned into people eliminating waste, especially things like servers and storage that didn’t need to be running, or at least could be scaled down,” said one current employee who was there in 2023. “I don’t know how much money was ultimately saved but it wasn’t uncommon for people to be finding millions of dollars of waste - pretty reasonable IMO when you’ve got a game as big as Fortnite, this stuff can easily be overlooked and it’s not like it’s really killing the company."

At the time, they said, Sweeney told employees Epic was taking actions specifically to avoid layoffs, including cutting everyone’s quarterly bonuses in half. They also recalled being told the company had billions in the bank, and could weather the storm. Then in the summer, raises and promotions were delayed after performance reviews. And shortly after, the layoffs happened. No amount of waste removal had managed to save 800 Epic employees from Sweeney’s self-described “unrealistic” belief that Epic could spend more than it made in order to build a metaverse. Nor has the loss of 800 employees appeared to have changed Sweeney’s unrealistic belief. Just days ago, Disney purchased a $1.5 billion stake in Epic Games to fund a “persistent, open and interoperable ecosystem” that incorporates the two brands. It’s an extraordinary amount of money…five months too late to help the people who needed it.

Shocker.

I'd suggest reading the whole article as it covers mismanagement across the entire industry. Just as an example: Immortals of Aveum had a $125 million budget ($85 million for dev costs and $40 million for marketing).

 

[Ge0force]

40 million for marketing sounds insane to me. I wonder what this money was spent on. I haven't seen many ads for Aveum.

 

[STHX]

Speaking to IGN, multiple former employees suggested the financial situation Epic found itself in stemmed from a pattern of irresponsible spending on initiatives that didn’t seem to have a clear strategy behind them, from a rash of acquisitions to Sweeney’s ongoing metaverse dreams. Then, when it came time to account for that spending to investors, the company seemed confused as to how it had gotten there in the first place and started encouraging individual employees to find ways to cut costs.

 

[curi0usBystander]

Speaking to IGN, multiple former employees suggested the financial situation Epic found itself in stemmed from a pattern of irresponsible spending on initiatives that didn’t seem to have a clear strategy behind them, from a rash of acquisitions to Sweeney’s ongoing metaverse dreams

At the time I thought that the acquisitions had 2 purposes:

1. Help epic become the ultimate middleware company
2. Create their Everything game metaverse.

But they kept throwing money, like there was no tomorrow all while trying to take apple in a trial that they could not win. I'm still not sure if it can work (at least as far as the Everything game is concerned).

Which reminds me, did we ever get the remedies of the google trial. I'm really interested in knowing if it will be real stuff or just stuff that google will skirt and then he will proceed to have a meltdown instead, of trying to understand why he keeps getting blindsided by these companies

 

[C-Dub]

40 million for marketing sounds insane to me. I wonder what this money was spent on. I haven't seen many ads for Aveum.

I honesty have no idea how much $40m marketing budget gets you these days. But judging by the fact that some games have marketing budgets with another digit on top, I suspect it’s not much.

For example, since Google and Facebook have basically enshittified the entire ad industry, a large portion of your ad budget is spent showing them to bots and nefarious state actors astroturfing social media for dishonest reasons. And then there’s all the people blocking your ads too.

It’s hard to get the word out about your game these days, but these people don’t know what else to do so they keep ploughing cash into these ad companies for literally nothing.

 

[CommodoreKong]

40 million for marketing sounds insane to me. I wonder what this money was spent on. I haven't seen many ads for Aveum.

Do you watch a lot of things with ads?

Ad spend is always so difficult for me, I use an adblocker on my browser and have Youtube Premium because I watch a lot of Youtube on my TV. I also watch streaming services that don't have ads.

Aside from Youtube sponsorships I don't really see a lot of ads.

 

[Ge0force]

Do you watch a lot of things with ads?

I have a few sites with non-intrusive ads whitelisted. But yeah, YouTube isn't one of these sites.

 

[prudis]

I honesty have no idea how much $40m marketing budget gets you these days. But judging by the fact that some games have marketing budgets with another digit on top, I suspect it’s not much.

tbh its been said last few years that the marketing budget of AAA has been bigger than the actual dev cost